Figures from the Sentix showed that the eurozone investor sentiment rose again in February, recording its fourth consecutive monthly increase. Nevertheless, the recovery process is proceeding slowly and the all-clear still cannot be given.
The investor confidence index rose to -12.9 points from -15.8 points in January, while consensus estimates suggested an increase to -15.0 points. The poll of 1,306 investors was conducted between February 1-3.
The economic expectations index rose by 3.3 points to -8.8 points. It was the fifth monthly increase in a row and the highest value since February 2022. Meanwhile, the current situation index increased to -20.0 points (the highest value since June 2023) from -22.5 points in January.
Sentix said that the negative economic pull for the eurozone comes primarily from Germany. The current situation index here fell to - 39.3 points from -35.5 points in January. Germany is stuck in recession and is struggling to emerge from it. The rise in the expectations component from -16.3 points to - 14.0 is therefore no cause for celebration. The negative values still indicate a continuing contraction process, but the pressure of the deterioration is easing. The economic crisis is persistent and the political responses so far give little hope of improvement.